Life
wouldn't be the same without denim jeans. In
1853 Levi Strauss stitched up the first pair
of denim jeans for gold miners. From the beginning
they were comfortable, durable, and a major
staple for a majority of Americans. The company
has sold 2.5 billion pairs of jeans. Yes, that
is BILLION.
Denim
jeans allow you to be "whoever you want to be." Each
pair of jeans that is sold is a result of a very
complicated process. There is fiber selection,
weaving, weight, dyeing and finishing. The finishing
process for a pair of stonewashed jeans can take
more than three hours. As a buyer it helps to
know more about what you are buying. This series
of articles will help each of you select jeans
using "an educated guess." Why do we care? Denim
jeans are a worldwide wardrobe staple. We are
talking about a $10.65 billion annual business.
It would not surprise us to know that 97 percent
of consumers own at least one pair. In fact,
most own 7 pairs. And we are still open to owning
more. Denim dresses, jackets, hats and more.
Most denims are distribued through mass merchants and next the Chains. For
example, Wal-Mart and Kmart.
Watch for part #2-How many parts equal a pair of jeans??????
DENIM-What
makes up a pair of jeans?
Every
pair of jeans fits differently. Like me, I'm
sure you have many pairs in your closet and each
and every pair has good points and bad points.
The main issue is: does the crotch fit? That's
it in a nutshell. But there are many more parts
of a pair of jeans.
- Zipper
fly-This was first used in jeans in 1926,
invented by Litcomb Judson in 1893.
- Button
fly-This was the original closure. Each pair
has five buttons.
- Five
pockets-a phrase we have heard often. Two
pockets in the front, two in the back and
a coin pocket inside the right front pocket.
My husband says that's where I keep my extra
change of clothes!
- Rivets-These
are attached at stress points of pockets.
Originally patented by Levi Strauss & Co.
in 1873.
- Bar
tacks-These also reinforce stress points.
Most often used on belt loops, seams, button
holes and pocket corners.
- Rise-The
measurement from the waistband to the crotch.
- Felled
seam-a seam that uses an interlocking stitch
and enclosed edges.
- Safety
stitch-A chain stitch-used on all other seams
except the felled seams.
- Back
yoke-This is used for fit as well as design.
The deeper the "V" in the back yoke, the
more curve there is in the seat.(I never
knew that.)
- Belt
loops-There are either five or seven.
- Inseam-the
seam inside the leg.
- Arcuate-Now
here is a word I never heard before. This
is the trademarked, double row of stitching
on the back pockets of Levi's jeans. Added
in 1873 and trademarked in 1943, it has been
in use longer than any other U.S. apparel
trademark.
- Outseam-The
seam on the outside of the leg.
- Selvage-The
white edges of denim fabric. Exposed selvage
is key to recognizing vintage originals.
Where
else could you get such fabulous information.
Great trivia to use at your next party…….ask
everyone to name the 14 parts of jeans.
